By Claire Woodward 

The Observing Civic Engagement Lab has been operating for 14 years, including projects in Bloomington and Indianapolis. We are excited to expand our research on communities across three new areas across the United States, generously funded by The Trust of Civic Life. The Trust for Civic Life works with more than two dozen civic hubs and communities throughout the country, primarily in rural areas. Their support of our research will lead to important insights about community life for local leaders and organizations. When describing our research, I like to say that the data we collect belongs to the organizations and communities we observe – our research assistants make the day-to-day dynamics of community life visible through quantifiable data. 

In addition to our Bloomington project, we will now collect data in three new communities, working alongside civic hubs in each location. 

1. The Tri-Lake Region in the Adirondacks, New York (in partnership with the Adirondack Foundation)  

1. Kootenai County, Idaho (in partnership with the Innovia Foundation) 

1. Dubuque, Iowa (in partnership with the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque) 

We brought both our New York and Idaho teams here in June for an intensive in-person training, where they were able to observe some of our participating organizations alongside our experienced research assistants and learn more about the project and our methods. Our Iowa team will be here in July to complete their training.  

With this expansion, we’ve hired Eliza Brader as a project manager for Bloomington, and Claire Woodward is transitioning to managing our new areas. Julie Beasley, the lab’s project manager since 2022, has completed her PhD and will be starting as an Assistant Professor of Public Administration and Government with a focus area of public leadership and management at the UNC-Chapel Hill School of Government.  

Across all projects, our lab currently employs more than forty community members, undergraduates, and graduate students with more than twenty alumni who have contributed to the project in some way. We are looking forward to seeing our project continue to grow both in and beyond Bloomington!  

By Claire Woodward 

We continue to study community organizations, including several faith-based organizations in our research. The Tibetan Buddhist Mongolian Cultural Center (TMBCC) joined our research study in the fall of 2024.  

If you’re a Bloomington resident, you might know the TMBCC as a unique part of our city’s history. In 1950, Thubten Jigme Norbu, the brother of the Dalai Lama, fled Tibet and became a professor of Tibetan Studies at Indiana University. He established the TMBCC in 1979 “to acquaint people with the history and culture of Tibet and to support Tibetans everywhere.” It’s located on a beautiful 90 acres on the south side of town.  

They offer “workshops, teachings, seminars, initiations, retreats and ceremonies relating to the Tibetan exile communities, and the Mongolians of Mongolia, Kalmykia, Buyatia, and Tuvia.” Look at their website to learn more about them! 

Many of our RAs have enjoyed observing faith-based organizations, particularly ones that they were not previously acquainted with, such as Tibetan Buddhism. 

I observe the Tibetan Mongolian Buddhist Cultural Center every week and it is my favorite to observe! I mostly just listen to the monks teaching/class and he has a lot of amazing things to say that really resonate with me, he often says to practice compassion and just do our best and when we do that then we can make a big difference in our lives and in other people’s lives. There is usually a Q&A where participants seek and share life advice. I think it’s really great to see people of all ages and different backgrounds come together to try to be better. It’s definitely made me see people in a better, more positive light and helped me to not be too hard on myself and others. They are all very kind and welcoming. 

Their meditation spaces are impactful for new research assistants. 

I had my first observation at the Mongolian Tibetan Buddhist Center. It was an eye opening for me as I have never gone to prayers of a different religion. 

Research assistants also enjoy seeing how Bloomington is connected with other cultures and countries as well as the diversity of their own midwestern town. 

Being an RA has brought a sense of pride and I’m very proud to be part of this project. TMBCC has been a fantastic experience. It’s been great to observe this community and see a side of Bloomington that is very integral to the culture of the city.  

When I started graduate school at Indiana University in 2017, one of the first places I visited was the TMBCC. On a hot and muggy September day,I enjoyed the peaceful walk around the center while admiring the sculptures and art, seeing people there meditating, and learning more about the TMBCC at their visitor center. I remember thinking how lucky I was to have moved somewhere with such a unique center that served such an important role in both its geographical as well as world community.  

We are grateful to have them participate in our research as we learn more about civil society organizations.   

By Claire Woodward

Twenty-five years ago, Robert Putnam detailed the decline of civic engagement over the latter half of the twentieth century in his iconic book Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community (2000). Putnam uses the example of bowling leagues to illustrate how Americans have become increasingly disconnected from family, friends, neighbors, and democratic structures. People are still bowling, but instead of bowling in leagues, they are more often bowling “alone” — occasional one-off outings with small groups of friends instead of recurring contests with other teams in a league. This trend of declining community engagement has occurred across other communal activities as well—even less formal ones like book clubs, poker nights, and dinner groups.  

Putnam argues that social capital—the benefits from our social networks, shared norms, and social trust—has significantly declined. In Bowling Alone, Putnam provides extensive data showing decreases in various forms of civic engagement, such as voting, attending public meetings, and participating in community organizations (from PTO meetings to bridge groups). Such declines have led to negative impacts on both individual well-being and societal health. Putnam identifies several factors contributing to this decline, including increased work hours, suburbanization, television, and generational changes. He suggests ways to rebuild social capital, such as encouraging community involvement, fostering civic education, and creating policies that support family and community life. 

Our research in The Observing Civic Engagement Lab contributes to discussion around community life. Rather than focusing on its decline though, we are interested in what is happening when people do come together. We observe hobby organizations like book clubs, card groups, dinner clubs, service organizations like Kiwanis and Habitat for Humanity, and religious congregations. Community life is still happening, even if it might occur at a lower rate than it did in the 1970s.  

We hosted a team social for our research assistants at our university campus’s bowling alley last weekend. I haven’t been bowling in perhaps 15 years, but I immediately fell into a familiar cadence of talking with people in between the individual bowling frames. None of us were serious bowlers (I think our top scorer was around 115), but we enjoyed bowling together as a way to connect and strengthen community. We weren’t there to bowl alone but rather participate in Putnam’s iconic symbol of community life. But, of course… we weren’t there for league play. Perhaps we should consider finding other groups to bowl with us next time. 

The work that we do about what happens when community comes together has important implications for our society. Although ample research such as Putnam’s has discussed how civic life has changed over the past several decades, our work is novel in exploring the details of ongoing community organization life. 

By Claire Woodward 

We are very grateful for the participating organizations in our Bloomington community, which has grown to 45 organizations as of April 2025.  

One of our earliest participants was Habitat for Humanity of Monroe County.  

Habitat for Humanity aims “to expand affordable housing solutions by partnering with people in our community.” Staff and volunteers regularly work on home construction for individuals and families. Habitat for Humanity also manages ReStore, which sells donated construction and home improvement items (it’s a great place to either donate or buy appliances, furniture, cabinets, building supplies and similar items!). 

Our research assistants observe their Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday builds when possible as well as other social, training, and volunteer appreciation events. These observations have been particularly impressed with seeing service in action during these builds. 

Observing Habitat for Humanity has been an inspiring experience, as it allows me to witness participants spreading positivity and showing dedication to their work. It is remarkable to see individuals voluntarily give their time to help others build their homes, encouraging teamwork and sharing a cause. The environment is always uplifting, creating a welcoming atmosphere. I also find it thrilling to observe creative problem-solving techniques used in home construction, or being able to learn how much work is being put into these homes. 

They have also felt welcomed by the volunteers and staff: 

Habitat for Humanity has allowed me to feel more comfortable and welcomed in new places and has made me feel less shy when meeting individuals. 

Our RAs have also reflected on the way Habitat for humanity influences a sense of community within Monroe County.  

Habitat for Humanity has significantly influenced my perception of community. Seeing individuals from diverse backgrounds come together for a common purpose has shown me that community extends beyond the one we are born into—it is something we create through shared experiences and mutual support. Before this experience, I viewed Bloomington primarily as a place for my education. However, through my observations, I have come to recognize it as more than just a campus—it is a community where people live, connect, and find joy in everyday moments. Stepping into the role of an observer has allowed me to appreciate the small but meaningful aspects of life, such as friendship and happiness. 

We are so grateful for Habitat’s work in our Bloomington community (as well as across the United States) and appreciate their participation in our research study.